Appalachian Council of GovernmentsAppalachian Council of Governments

Mission Statement

The Volunteer Ombudsman Program is part of the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments’ Regional Long-Term Ombudsman Program. Volunteers are not certified Ombudsman, but do help assist them in their duties. The Swedish word Ombudsman ... Read more

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Mission Statement

The Volunteer Ombudsman Program is part of the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments’ Regional Long-Term Ombudsman Program. Volunteers are not certified Ombudsman, but do help assist them in their duties. The Swedish word Ombudsman means someone who investigates citizens’ complaints and tries to bring about a fair resolution. Ombudsman is someone who protects, mediates, and advocates.

Description

Do you want to make a difference in the community?

Become a Volunteer Friendly Visitor in a long term care facility and "Make a Difference" in the lives of long-term care residents.

A Volunteer Friendly Visitor is a volunteer who visits in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. A volunteer especially visits the residents with little or no family. A volunteer is someone to educate residents and families about resident’s rights and advance directives. Volunteers assist residents in resolving minor problems. They bring issues or problems to the attention of the administrator in order to find suitable ways to resolve concerns and eliminate the need for a complaint to be filed with the Ombudsman’s Office.

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, have the ability to maintain confidentiality, and do not have a criminal record.

To be considered as a Volunteer candidate, an applicant must complete a screening process. This process includes completion of an application, an interview process, SLED background check and reference checks. Volunteers will also receive classroom and on-the-job training. Since this is a federally mandated program, all facilities in the Upstate and nationwide will need to have a Friendly Visitor.